Former Fulton County Sergeant Arraigned on Federal Excessive Force Charges

ATLANTA, Georgia – Federal prosecutors announced that a former Fulton County Sheriff’s Office sergeant has been arraigned on charges accusing him of using excessive force against a handcuffed detainee at the Fulton County Courthouse.

According to Theodore S. Hertzberg, 41-year-old Louis Brown III of Smyrna was arraigned May 15 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas after being indicted by a federal grand jury on May 12.

Brown is charged with depriving a person of civil rights under color of law.

“Brown allegedly betrayed his badge by punching a handcuffed detainee without justification and by directing his subordinates to turn off their body-worn cameras to try to get away with his crime,” Hertzberg said. “To maintain the public’s faith in our justice system, sworn officers who abuse their positions of trust must be held accountable.”

Federal prosecutors said the alleged assault occurred June 4, 2025, while Brown was working at the Fulton County Courthouse.

According to court documents, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office use-of-force policy requires deputies to use only objectively reasonable force and prohibits force against compliant, non-resisting individuals.

Investigators allege Brown repeatedly punched and slapped a handcuffed detainee without legal justification.

Authorities said Brown allegedly instructed other deputies to deactivate their body-worn cameras moments before the incident. However, one deputy’s camera continued recording and allegedly captured video showing the detainee was compliant and non-threatening during the assault.

“The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers serve their communities with integrity and professionalism every day,” said Marlo Graham. “But when an officer allegedly violates the constitutional rights of a person in their custody, it undermines public trust and the oath they swore to uphold. The FBI remains committed to working to ensure anyone who abuses a position of authority is held accountable under the law.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Dwayne A. Brown Jr. are prosecuting the case.

Federal officials emphasized that the indictment contains allegations only, and Brown is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.